Someone finally got around to telling Bill Callahan that two of his former players have accused him of throwing Super Bowl XXXVII, and he is not happy. Here's a statement that Callahan released via NFL.com in response to accusations by Tim Brown and Jerry Rice that he lost the Super Bowl on purpose so that former Raiders and then-Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden could get a ring:

I am shocked, saddened and outraged by Tim Brown's allegations and Jerry Rice's support of those allegations. To leave no doubt, I categorically and unequivocally deny the sum and substance of their allegation. To suggest otherwise, especially at this time when it involves the Super Bowl, is ludicrous and defamatory.

Any suggestion that I would undermine the integrity of the sport that I love and dedicated my life to, or dishonor the commitment I made to our players, coaches and fans, is flat out wrong. I think it would be in the best interests of all including the game America loves that these allegations be retracted immediately.

Now Rice and Brown are in a position where they either have to retract their allegations as Callahan requested, or double down on their wild claim. Personally, I just want this saga to go on long enough that eventually Jon Gruden has to get involved. We need to know if THIS GUY Bill Callahan is really the type of guy who would throw a Super Bowl.